quote:
Originally posted by madhattr999
im sure they cant be that incredibly different..
Yes they are. Each webmail uses it's own kind of database, it's own kind of system to access it, it's own layout for the access page, etc.. etc.. There is no fixed protocol for webmail.
Also, many webmail services don't even allow 3rd party applications to access their databases. In fact even hotmail doesn't allow it anymore; and not only in 3rd party applications, but even in Outlook (Express) it isn't supported anymore*.
* Only existing accounts can still be accessed. New accounts are already blocked. But all existing accounts will eventually be blocked too (unless you pay for the extra Hotmail service).
(And in case you decide to flame MS about this: this has nothing todo with MS being greedy, but everything with the fight against spam. So thank all the spammers for this instead of flaming MS.)